Chemical leak affects 100 Iloilo residents

ILOILO — Iloilo city government is now eyeing for the evacuation of 100 residents from a barangay affected by a chemical leak earlier this week.

Iloilo news site The Daily Guardian reported on Friday how authorities are planning the evacuation as the residents living near a warehouse in Barangay West Timawa suffer from foul odor emanating from the area.

Reports showed that children along the area suffered from asthma attacks and trouble in breathing because of the odor which started when a 50-liter drum containing wine leaked.

An investigation conducted showed that the warehouse, which is now leased to a construction firm as a warehouse for construction equipment, used to be a defunct Imperial Distillery factory.

While City Environment and Natural Resources Office head Noel Hechanova is suspecting the spilled chemical might be denatured or ethyl alcohol, Environmental Management Bureau Toxic Chemicals and Hazardous Wastes Permitting Section OIC Engr. Disiderio Figueroa said they detected volatile and organic compounds and ammonia in the area.

In a GMA News report, Dr. Elvie Villalobos of the Department of Health said that in case ammonia causing odor, may have ill effects on the lungs and can cause coughing, asthma, difficulty in breathing and dizziness.

She then recommended the evacuation of residents within 100 meters of the building.